Despite Italy's lackluster performance in their first two group stage matches, the Azzurri have the chance to advance into the next round of the World Cup with a win or a tie plus help. Some excellent analyses of the Italian team's weaknesses have been published over the last few days, and the negatives about this Italian […]

Italy managed to draw 1-1 against both Paraguay and New Zealand while failing to impress despite having seen a lot in terms of ball possession, in particular against the Kiwis when the Italians had just over 70% in terms of ball possession. Pundits and fans alike are debating what has gone wrong for the Azzurri […]

By now you have undoubtedly heard about the injury to Gigi Buffon and his questionable status for the remainder of the World Cup. Reading between the lines of the statements coming out of the Italian camp it looks like possibly the best keeper in the world could actually miss the entire World Cup. And in […]

The biggest "win" in New Zealand soccer history was also a major victory for the Italian national team. Slovakia was the better club for ninety minutes today, taking a 1-0 lead over New Zealand early in the second half on a goal by Robert Vittek. The All Whites, who looked like a club playing in […]

An ESPN interview with some of the Italian national team players shows that not even the squad seems to know who will be on the pitch on Sunday when they kick off versus Paraguay. Marcello Lippi has been tight-lipped about who will start and what formation the Azzurri will play, even noting that the formation […]

Update – ESPN.com via Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that Pirlo plans to be fit by the final group stage match against Slovakia. Add Andrea Pirlo to the growing list of World Cup injuries. The Italian midfielder and AC Milan star could miss an undefined number of matches after suffering a second degree calf injury […]

The World Cup is one week away, and if you are a soccer fan, it is hard not to be anxious for the tournament to begin. In anticipation of the first Group F match on June 14 (Italy v. Paraguay) I will post of preview of the other three teams in Group F, to help […]

The name "Giuseppe Rossi" makes American soccer fans shake their head in disgust and Italian fans smile in anticipation. The 23 year old striker has made the Italian national team provisional roster and, even if he is only a reserve in this World Cup, he will likely star on future Azzurri clubs that will need an infusion […]

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has picked 29 players for training this week but did not include any players from Roma or Inter who will be contesting the Coppa Italia final. Serie A leaders Inter will probably not have any member in the Azzurri squad headed to South Africa 2010 considering Davide Santon is injured while […]

Giampaolo Pazzini scored a double against Roma to lift Sampdoria to a precious 2-1 win and more significantly the Azzurri hopeful handed the title advantage to Inter while confirming his club's European credentials ahead of Palermo and Juventus. With Inter now in the lead, the only match which could see them potentially drop points will […]

The Azzurri will be in Group C along with Serbia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands. While the last three teams should not pose a threat to the Italians, the main threat will be coming from both Serbia and Slovenia. Italy tends to struggle against weaker opposition so it would be wrong to dismiss […]

Juventus suffered another defeat which perhaps came as no surprise despite the fact Roma were rather not impressive until the penalty-kick which was converted by Francesco Totti. The Bianconeri did not deserve to lose the match but the players have certainly been struggling despite putting in a better effort against the Giallorossi. Without discussing the […]

There you have it, Italy in Group F, drawn with New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. A relatively simple group and one Marcelo Lippi should take the Azzurri through with comfort. Group F Italy New Zealand Paraguay Slovakia They begin the defence of their crown in Capetown at the Greenpoint soccer stadium on June 14th 2010 […]

In an announcement Wednesday that will not come as much of a surprise to followers of soccer, Italy was named one of the top seeds for the 2010 World Cup, joining host nation South Africa, Brazil, England, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Argentina. The big news coming out of this announcement is the conspicuous absence of […]

A lot has been said about Serie A's decline over the past couple of years. Critics have claimed the English Premiership and Spain's La Liga have become Europe’s best leagues leaving Serie A to challenge the Bundesliga for third spot. Sadly, Serie A has witnessed a sharp decline in the past few years that cannot be […]